Tocal field days celebrate 30 years

The Tocal Agricultural College near Maitland will host the 30th annual field days over the next few days.

The Hunter's biggest field day for farmers turns 30 this weekend.

Tocal has been hosting the three day agricultural showcase at the CB Alexander College since 1983.

Principal Cameron Archer says while the local rural sector has changed a lot in that time, the field days are still the best marketplace and information centre for those on the land, or those who wish they were.

"There's a lot of new equipment and different sorts of ways of doing things from 30 years ago," he said.

"So why we talk about farmers changing the land is still there and it still has to be managed.

"So its just a matter of different people under different situations, and that's where Tocal Field Days comes in.

"And it gives an opportunity to people from urban areas to learn about agriculture, so its probably more relevant than ever now. "

The 30th annual Tocal Field Days are this year highlighting the importance of the local dairy industry.

Mr Archer says the weekend provides city slickers with a slice of rural life, which is why showcasing the dairy industry is so important.

"The dairy industry has had a long, long period in the Hunter of great production, and we're very confident about its future despite the current pessimism," he said.

"So that's one of the reasons we've put a focus on the dairy industry this year at Tocal Field Days.

"People will see milk being separated, that was very common on farms in the old days but doesn't happen now."